DCF wants to place more children in ‘kinship care’ — with a relative or other close family connection. But doing so has been complicated.
Department of Children and Families
Posted inHuman Services
Mimi Torres-García estate accuses DCF of negligence, seeks $100M
The estate of Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres-García is seeking to sue DCF for alleged negligence and for allegedly failing to protect her sister.
Posted inHuman Services
Two families, one child: the case that reshaped foster parents’ rights in Connecticut
Her father implored DCF officials to help him get her back. Her foster parents battled to adopt her. The case landed at the state Supreme Court.
Posted inHuman Services
Mimi Torres-García case prompts lawmakers to mull policy change
Her case sparked debate about changes to the way DCF confirms children’s identities during interviews and whether it has enough resources.
Posted inHuman Services
Child posed as dead New Britain girl in meeting, DCF says
DCF says the girl’s mother had another child impersonate the girl during a wellness check early this year.
Posted inPolitics
CT DCF Commissioner Jodi Hill-Lilly steps down
Hill-Lilly’s departure comes as CT awaits another key child welfare role — leading the Office of the Child Advocate — to be filled.
Posted inHealth
Bill would allow ‘baby boxes’ for parents to relinquish infants
A bill that would allow parents to relinquish their infants in temperature-controlled chambers at hospitals could unleash a slew of issues.
Posted inPolitics
CT Senate passes bill requiring in-home DCF visits
The Senate passed several bills, including one requiring DCF to conduct in-person visits and another to study hate speech and bullying on kids.
Posted inGovernment
Review of CT child’s death finds missteps by DCF, judicial branch
A review of events leading up to the 2-year-old’s homicide found that officials didn’t follow proper procedures or have complete information.
Posted inHealth
Report: Fentanyl, unsafe sleep major factors in baby and toddler deaths in CT
A new report from the Office of the Child Advocate details causes of death for young children in Connecticut over the past couple of years.
Posted inGovernment
Review of CT baby’s death raises concerns over DCF practices
Recommendations include more transparency, quality assurance, and a voice for child experts on a state opioid settlement committee.
Posted inGovernment, Justice
Under federal oversight, DCF makes strides in lowering social workers’ caseloads
For the first time in nearly 30 years of federal oversight, DCF has sufficiently lowered caseloads for social workers serving vulnerable children and families.
Posted inEducation
National search for DCF commissioner ends close to home
Vanessa Dorantes joined the Department of Children and Families nearly 27 years ago, one of the scores of social workers hired to bolster an understaffed DCF at the insistence of a federal court monitor. On Monday, she was nominated to lead that agency, which remains under the consent order that led to her hiring in 1992.
Posted inEducation
Final report on DCF under Malloy and Katz cites progress
Connecticut received Monday what is likely to be a federal overseer’s final assessment of the progress made by the Department of Children and Families during the tenure of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Commissioner Joette Katz, saying the state is closer than ever to ending nearly three decades of federal supervision. But not before the next governor takes office.
Posted inEducation
Pregnant teen dies in apparent suicide at state-run hospital
A pregnant teen died late Thursday night in an apparent suicide at the state’s psychiatric hospital for children, officials at the Department of Children and Families reported Friday.